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Thread: New scrubber - new sump

  1. #1

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    New scrubber - new sump

    I decided to take my old 29 gallon and make it into a sump specifically for this scrubber.

    Tank specs:
    Neo 90 with dual OF 1 return
    Mixed reef, mostly SPS
    70ish lbs LR
    TR Ocellaris
    2 Green Chromis
    6-line Wrasse
    3x pajama Cardinals
    Cherub Angel

    6" NWB Reef Octopus Skimmer
    Rio Hyperflow 32HF return pump


    Built the scrubber with a 9x10 very rough screen and 2 CFL 42W bulbs on each side.

    Here are some pics







    Questions:

    I have no gotten much green algae, just some brown stuff that seems very easy to remove with some running water.

    How long does it take to initially get green/brown/hair algae going?

    Its been running for about 3 weeks, cleaning every sunday, along with skimmer cup.

    Are the light placements ok?

    I can control the flow of the scrubber by ball valves, however i cannot measure how fast the GPH is, is there a way to tell if its too high or too low flow over the scrubber?

    Thanks

    -Tony

  2. #2
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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    The light on the left is too far away. Can't tell about the one on the right.

  3. #3

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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    If i move the lamps closer together it feels as though i am spot lighting the scrubber. Should be roughly 4-6" from the scrubber to the light correct?

  4. #4
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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    42 watt bulbs can probably be 5". You'll be able to tell by if you get a yellow spot.

  5. #5

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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    Here is the latest shots of the scrubber after 7 full days.



  6. #6
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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    If it's the very first week, then it's very good. If it's the second week, it's ok. If it's the third week, probably need stronger lights.

  7. #7

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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    If thats the case, I will be replacing them with these

    http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Lig ... ogId=10053

    It might have actually been the fourth cleaning...lost track. In anycase, It needs new bulbs.

  8. #8
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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    Those are strong bulbs... will need 5" from the screen.

  9. #9

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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    Ok well, after a full week with the new bulbs, Im not sure im getting where im supposed to be. Not sure what im doing wrong.

    Here is a pick of scrubber right before cleaning



    And this is what i scraped off the scrubber.



    The image doesnt really describe what this stuff is, it is more of a bubble type slime that collapses almost instantly with light airflow. That image is the entire scrubbers resulting "growth" deflated. It doesnt feel like oil perse but it is very slick. Smells like the ocean or a rock pulled from the ocean.

    Unless this is what i am supposed to be getting i cannot really say I will keep the scrubber idea going, I really have no idea what im doing wrong here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  10. #10
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    Re: New scrubber - new sump

    The light is not making it to your screen. Can you hang the bulbs by their wire so that they are sideways? If so you can make a beer-can reflector:




    Also be sure you have then ON for 18 hours, and OFF for 6 hours, and not the other way around.

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